Cruelty on the wedding menu

Shark's fin consumption more than doubled in Singapore last year
from 2006, with demand driven by an economic boom and an increase
in wedding celebrations, a report said today.

Singapore consumed more than 470 tonnes in 2007, up from 182
tonnes the previous year and reversing a four-year decline, the
Straits Times reported.

Strong economic growth in 2007 and a rise in the number of
people getting married drove demand despite a 30 per cent rise in
shark's fin soup prices and appeals by environmental groups to ease
consumption, it said.

Shark's fin soup is popular at Chinese wedding banquets, where
it is seen as a status symbol.

"Most of the couple's parents consider this dish a premium and
without it, they would lose face," Ruth Soh, communications
director at the Mandarin Oriental, told the newspaper.

She said however that the hotel buys shark's fin only from fish
farms.

Housewife Janet Gan was quoted as saying: "Shark's fin is a must
at a wedding. It is like a birthday cake."

But Michael Aw, a marine conservationist, said more than 30
sharks have to be killed to feed a wedding banquet with 300 guests,
according to the report.

"We must continue to educate the younger generation and make
them see that sharks are guardians of the sea that ensure a balance
in the food chain," Aw said.

The message is not lost to Melanie Tan, who will walk down the
aisle next month.

"I don't want to be part of the cruel act of killing sharks just
to make others satisfied on my wedding day," she was quoted as
saying.

1210444322778-smh.com.auhttp://www.smh.com.au/news/bridal/cruelty-on-the-wedding-menu/2008/05/12/1210444322778.htmlsmh.com.auAFP2008-05-12Cruelty on the wedding menuLifeAndStyleBridalLAShttp://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2008/05/12/shark_soup_lead_wideweb__470x350,0.jpg